Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette, who is running for his fourth term, talked about the possibility of placing a casino in the city in 2007 when legislators came close to legalizing gambling. Now he said he continues to be interested, but only if the proposal is right for the city.

His challenger, Gary R. Lefebvre, said he has no qualms about gambling, but is saying no to a casino in Chicopee. The crime, traffic and competition for small businesses that he believes a casino will bring are not worth the money Chicopee could earn by hosting a casino.

“A casino in a neighboring city would still create jobs and generate revenues for our citizens. This is the best deal for Chicopee,” he said.

This is especially important since the bill, accepted last week by the Senate, allocates certain percentages of money raised through gambling to a variety of different entities. The surrounding communities, as well as the host community, will receive some assistance to mitigate negative impacts that a casino could bring.

Lefebvre, who owns Gary and Nancy’s Place on Chicopee Street, said he feels the competition to small businesses like his own would have devastating results. Because people do not tend to leave a casino, Lefebvre said he worries restaurants, hotels and other businesses will attract far fewer customers.

Gary Lefebvre discusses casino gamblingChicopee mayoral candidate Gary Lefebvre says that while he's not opposed to legalized gambling, he doesn't think a casino is right for Chicopee | Video by S.P. Sullivan, MassLive.com

He also said he was especially concerned for those on Memorial Drive. Traffic increases on the already-busy Burnett Road could also be a problem.

“The jobs will come but it will add crime, our neighborhoods will go downhill and the loss of businesses will be drastic. As the city, we cannot afford a casino,” he said.

Bissonnette’s take is different. He said the estimated $5 million to $7 million annual revenue and 1,500 jobs a casino could bring to the city is something he cannot ignore.

“As a philosophical matter, I have no opposition to a casino opening in Chicopee. I am not turning away $7 million in tax revenue; neither am I going to just sign off on one,” he said.

Several developers have approached him to propose locating a casino in the city. Bissonnette confirmed Penn National Gaming, a large casino company, is one but would not reveal the other companies. There are three different sites proposed: Delta Park in downtown Chicopee, property off Burnett Road and the Chicopee River Business Park off East Main Street, that includes property in Springfield.

If a developer puts any land under the option of purchase, Bissonnette said he will have discussions about how to mitigate issues such as traffic and the need to expand public safety. He said he will not just rubber-stamp any proposal.

There are other issues which are not as obvious that will also have to be discussed. For example, a number of the jobs, such as housekeepers, are not high-paying and there will be questions about housing for them, he said.